Sheet feeder and spreader means

ABSTRACT

Flatwork handling apparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers comprises a pair of obliquely arranged feeder and spreader members including a vacuum chamber which is utilized to apply a vacuum or suction force to the flatwork. As the flatwork is fed toward the ironing rollers, the oblique relationship of the feeder and spreader members causes a transverse spreading action to be applied to eliminate creases and wrinkles in the laundered sheets, tablecloths, etc.

United StatesPatent 1191 Ross [ SHEET FEEDER AND SPREADER MEANS [76] Inventor: ABe DIEOSs, West Tahiti Way, Marina Del Ray, Calif.

[22] Filed: June 18, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 154,395

[52] U.S. CI ..38/143 [51] Int. Cl. ..D061 67/04 [58] Field of Search ..271/45, 54, 69, 79, 271/74; 38/143 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES TATENTS 3,198,516 8/1965 Withorn et al. ..271/45 3,228,127 1/1966 Railand ..38/143 3,174,238 3/1965 Grantham ..38/143 [451 May 29,1973

3,342,386 9/1967 Rademacher ..38/ 143 X 3,414,997 12/1968 Henry ..38/143 3,430,952 3/1969 Benjamin..... ....38/143 X 2,654,969 10/1953 Woodward ..38/143 3,470,636 10/1969 Withom ..38/ l 43 Primary Examiner-G. V. Larkin Aztorney-Peter L. Berger [5 7] ABSTRACT Flatwork handling vapparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers comprises a pair of obliquely arranged feeder and spreader members including a vacuum chamber which is utilized to apply a vacuum or suction force to the flatwork. As the flatwork is fed toward the ironing rollers, the oblique relationship of the feeder and spreader members causes a transverse v spreading action to be applied to eliminate creases and wrinkles in the laundered sheets, tablecloths, etc.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEWW 3135.51 2

Inventor:

Abe D. Ross Byfla'fi Attorney:

1 SHEET FEEDER AND SPREADER MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION My invention relates to flatwork laundering apparatus, and more particularly, to a sheet feeder and spreader apparatus. 2

Commercial laundries utilize large and complex equipment to perform laundering and ironing processes. After the flatwork is laundered, generally, it is manually spread and smoothed out to remove wrinkles prior to being ironed. Some flatwork such as sheets and tablecloths are relatively large and unwieldy to be eas ily manipulated and automatic equipment has been provided to accomplish these functions. I

Generally, this automatic equipment includes a feeder means, such as a roller upon which the sheet is placed by two operators. As the sheet is carried toward the ironing rollers, a spreading means separate from the feed rollers imparts a spreading action transverse to the direction of the motion of the flatwork which smoothes the flatwork without the unwieldly manipulations previously required. In order'to properly utilize the feeder apparatus, two operators are required to place each corner or corner portion of the sheet on the feeder rollers. The requirement for two operators is undesirable from a cost viewpoint, in addition to which, if their movements are not properly synchronized, the sheet will improperly be fed to the ironing rollers.

An object of my inventionis to provide a flatwork feeding apparatus requiring only a single operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a feeding apparatus which is adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of flatwork.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a feeding apparatus which imparts a relatively uniform tension across the flatwork as it isspread and fed to the ironing rollers.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a feeding apparatus which efliciently removes wrinkles from laundered flatwork prior to its being ironed.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF, THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of my invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a pair of obliquely arranged similar spreader and feeder members which simultaneously feed and spread the flatwork, such as a sheet. The sheet feeder and spreader members are provided with an open slot in registry with a vacuum chamber, over which a belt including a plurality of cup-shaped retaining members passes. As the cup-shaped retaining members pass over the slot, the vacuum pressure is directed through the cups to grasp and hold the flatwork. The oblique relationship of the feeder and spreader members enables a single operator to operate the machinery by simultaneously placing the forward corners of the flatwork to be ironed at the vertex portion of the angle formed by the feeder and spreader members and, as the flatwork is carried along the feeder and spreader members, the flatwork will tend to spread apart because of the transverse holding and retaining force through the vacuum means.

In the laundering process in which the feeder and spreader device of my invention is to be used, the feeder and spreader members are utilizedafter the flatwork is laundered and before it is ironed in the ironing rollers.

Commercial laundries are capable of handling varying sized flatwork. In order to accommodate such different sizes, the angle formed between the members is easily adjustable by the operator.

As still another feature of my invention, I provide brush members disposed on the outside of the feeder and spreader members which impart additional spreading action to the flatwork as it is carried towards the ironing rollers. Preferably, the axis of rotation of the brushes is parallel to the direction of feed of the flatwork, but this parallel orientation is not essential.

As still another feature of my invention, the members can be either horizontally or vertically disposed, and the flatwork can be fed from either the top or bottom side of the feeder and spreader members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described with reference to embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of example on the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the feeder and spreader apparatus of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of my apparatus in operation carrying flatwork, such as a sheet, toward ironing rollers;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through one of the feeder and spreader members of my invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the position of the drive motor for the belt carrying the flatwork; and

' FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating another embodiment of my invention for feeding the flatwork from the underside of the feeder and spreader members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a plan view of my feeder and spreader apparatus. The feeder and spreader apparatus 10 comprises first and second feeder and spreader members 12 and 14 respectively, arranged in a non-parallel direction diverging in the direction of feed as indicated by the arrow 16. The members are pivotally connected at their vertex ends 18 and 20 as at 22 and 24 respectively. The pivoting connection, illustratively, comprises a ball and socket arrangement. The ball members for each of the pivoting connections are integrally connected to a sleeve member 26 which is movable along a shaft 218 and is capable of being fixed in position by means of a knurled locking member 30 movable on the shaft 28. The angle formed between members 12 and 14 is adjustable to accommodate varying widths of flatwork.

In accordance with my invention, the distance between the divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members 12 and 14, respectively, is adjustable, which is achieved by attaching sleeve members 32 and 34 to the divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members, respectively. The sleeves are movable on a bar or shaft 40. Locking means 42 and 44 are provided on each of the sleeves enabling the distance between the divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members to be fixedly set. Divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members 12 and 14 are near the ironing rollers 46, and as will be described hereinafter,

. varying the angle between the members will not materially affect the distance between the ends 36 and 38 and the rollers. In order to adjust the angle between the members, locking members 42, 44 and 30 are released and sleeves 26, 32 and 34 are moved to the desired angular relationship between members 12 and 14, after which the locking members are set in place to fix the relationship. Since the distance between shaft 40 and ironing rollers 46 is fixed, the distance between divergent ends 36 and 38 of members 12 and 14, respectively, and rollers 46 is substantially constant because sleeve 26 is movable along the direction of feed on shaft 28.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view through one of the feeder and spreader members of my invention. Each feeder and spreader member includes a vacuum chamber 52 having an exhaust conduit 54. The feeder and spreader members each comprise a belt 56 movable over two motor driven pulleys 58 and 60, the belt including a plurality of cup-shaped gripping members 62. The vacuum chamber is provided with a narrow open slot 64 in registry with the belt (FIG. 1) over which the cup-shaped members pass. As the belt is driven in the direction indicated by arrow 66, the cup-shaped members pass over the slot 64 thereby providing a suction force through each of the members 62. In this manner, the flatwork is grasped and firmly held by the belt and cupshaped suction members as it is moved along the direction of feed 16. As will be apparent, since the feeder and spreader members form an angle, the flatwork will spread as it is fed toward the ironing rollers 46.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of my invention will now be described. The forward corner portions 68 and 70 of the flatwork are placed by a sin gle operator at the vertex of the angle formed by the members 12 and 14. The comer portions 68 and 70 almost immediately are grasped and held by the cupshaped retaining members 62, and the flatwork is carried in the direction indicated by arrow 16. As the flatwork is carried in this direction, the oblique relationship between the members 12 and 14 causes a spreading action to be imparted to the flatwork. This spreading action removes wrinkles and creases from the flatwork 72 because of the relatively uniform transverse tension applied thereto.

In accordance with another feature of my invention, 1 provide a plurality of brush members 74 attached to the outside edges of the members 12 and 14, the brushes 74 being rotatable along an axis substantially parallel to the direction of feed. The brushes 74 are each driven by a belt means 76 which drives shaft 78 upon which the brushes 74 are mounted. As illustrated in FIG. 2, as the flatwork is carried by the feeder and spreader members 12 and 14, it will pass over the brushes 74 which imparts a further spreading action to the flatwork as it is carried towards the ironing rollers 46.

In accordance with another feature of my invention, the belts 56 are driven by the pulleys 58 and 60, with pulley 58 being driven by a suitable motor 80. In order to prevent injury to the operator, the motor is located below the feeder and spreader members with a shield 82 provided therefor as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of my invention, which is substantially similar to FIG. 3 in which the slit 64' is located on the bottom side of the members thereby permitting the flatwork to be carried along the bottom side thereof. In this manner, the flatwork isfed from the underside of the members 12 and 14 as it advances towards the ironing rollers 46. This type of feeding action, as contrasted with that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 above, may provide an improvement in that the flatwork will be directly carried from the underside first to the bottom larger roller 84 of the ironing rollers 46.

The ironing rollers 46, preferably, are located slightly below the distal ends 36 and 38 of the feeder and spreader members 12 and 14 to facilitate the transfer of the flatwork from the feeder and spreader members thereto. The ironing rollers are maintained in this position whether the flatwork is fed from the top or underside of the feeder and spreader members.

Thus, it may be seen that the above objects are accomplished by my invention in that as the flatwork is fed to the ironing rollers 46, a simultaneous spreading action is imparted thereto, thereby allowing a single operator to run my device. Further, by providing shafts 28 and 40 with the lockable sleeves, my apparatus is capable of accommodating difierent sized flatwork with a simple manual adjustment.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers, said apparatus comprising a pair of feeder and spreader members being non-parallel and divergent in the direction of feed of said flatwork to spread said flatwork as it is fed, each of said members comprising vacuum holding means for holding said flatwork as it is fed and spread by said members, and means for adjusting the angle formed by said non-parallel feeder and spreader mem bers.

2. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, comprising rotatable brush means attached to said members for additionally spreading said flatwork.

3. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said brush means project outwardly from said members.

4. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said brush means are rotatable on an axis substantially parallel to the direction of feed.

5. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said vacuum holding means comprises a vacuum chamber, a slot in said vacuum chamber, a feed belt driven over said slot and including open retaining members communicating with said slot for enabling a vacuum force to be exerted on said flatwork carried on said belt.

6. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said slot is located on the top surface of said vacuum chamber.

7. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said slit is located on the bottom surface of said vacuum chamber.

8. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5, comprising a shaft aligned in the direcsecond and third sleeves pivotally connected to the dis tal end of a respective one of said pair of members, said second shaft being fixed in position.

10. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 9, comprising a drive motor for driving said belts, said drive motor being located below said feeder and spreader members in the direction of feed 

1. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers, said apparatus comprising a pair of feeder and spreader members being non-parallel and divergent in the direction of feed of said flatwork to spread said flatwork as it is fed, each of said members comprising vacuum holding means for holding said flatwork as it is fed and spread by said members, and means for adjusting the angle formed by said nonparallel feeder and spreader members.
 2. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, comprising rotatable brush means attached to said members for additionally spreading said flatwork.
 3. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said brush means project outwardly from said members.
 4. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said brush means are rotatable on an axis substantially parallel to the direction of feed.
 5. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said vacuum holding means comprises a vacuum chamber, a slot in said vacuum chamber, a feed belt driven over said slot and including open retaining members communicating with said slot for enabling a vacuum force to be exerted on said flatwork carried on said belt.
 6. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said slot is located on the top surface of said vacuum chamber.
 7. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said slit is located on the bottom surface of said vacuum chamber.
 8. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5, comprising a shaft aligned in the direction of feed, a sleeve movable on said shaft, said sleeve being lockable in place on said shaft, a pair of pivot connections between said sleeve and said pair of feeder and spreader members joining said members in said non-parallel oblique orientation.
 9. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 8, comprising a second shaft transversely oriented to the direction of feed, second and third sleeves movable on said second shaft, and each of said second and third sleeves pivotally connected to the distal end of a respective one of said pair of members, said second shaft being fixed in position.
 10. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 9, comprising a drive motor for driving said belts, said drive motor being located below said feeder and spreader members in the direction of feed of said flatwork. 